New Information Macko Controversy: Felony Drug Conviction Dropped To Misdemeanor
(WCHV) New information on the controversy involving a local woman who stood next to President Obama to support him on extending unemployment benefits.
According to CBS 19 News Leslie Macko was employed as an aesthetician in the spa at ACAC in Albemarle county. In April 2009, a month after being found guilty of prescription drug fraud, she was fired from her job. And In June of 2007, Macko was charged with grand larceny. Later that charge was reduced and she was sentenced to two years probation.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the White House would have never invited Leslie Macko to pose with President Obama had they known about her criminal past.
A Secret Service spokesman says they did a background check on Macko before she appeared with the president and granted her permission to appear with him.
WCHV news has found that Macko's felony drug conviction was brought down to a misdemeanor which may be why the Secret Service cleared Macko to be at President Obama’s press conference.
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Storm Causes Power Outages, Damage
(WCHV) Dominion Virginia Power has electricity restored to customers Friday morning. A severe thunderstorm blew out the power to over 4,000 customers in our listening area Thursday afternoon. There was some storm damage to a few homes and buildings in the area from debris and downed trees.
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Police Investigating Fork Union Burglaries
(WCHV) The Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating a series of burglaries in Fork Union. They say someone broke into the Saddle Creek Farm and Pet Supply Tuesday night and stole some cash. Also two homes were broken into and robbed Wednesday. Call Crimestoppers if you have any information on these crimes. They are offering a thousand dollar reward.
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Governor Weighs In On Arizona Law
(Metro) Governor Bob McDonnell is weighing in on the court's ruling to block key provisions of Arizona's controversial immigration law. Stacey Johnson, a spokeswoman for the governor, released a statement yesterday saying his staff is currently reviewing Wednesday's preliminary injunction. She says McDonnell is a strong proponent of securing our nation's borders, "upholding the rule of law, and lawful immigration that meets the economic needs of America." Protestors marched in Phoenix and other cities around the U.S. Thursday as the watered-down version of the law took effect.
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Virginia Woman To Be Executed
(Metro) Virginia is getting ready to something it hasn't done since 1912 -- execute a woman. A judge today set an execution date for Teresa Lewis, who used sex and money to convince two men to kill her husband and stepson. Without the intervention of the Governor or the U.S. Supreme Court, Lewis will die on September 23rd. She's the only woman currently on Virginia's death row.
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EPA Rejects Cuccinelli's Claims On Global Warming
(Metro) After taking another look at the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, the Environmental Protection Administration is rejecting claims made by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and officials in 15 other states. Cuccinelli mounted a legal challenge to the EPA in February, saying error-filled data from researchers at an English university was used in making its determinations on climate change and whether it is a result of human activity. In a statement, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the arguments made by Cuccinelli and others were from, quote, "selectively edited, out-of-context data and a manufactured controversy.
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Opinions Differ On Rescue Services Structure
(WCHV) Members of Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad want to help defeat a proposed Albemarle County ordinance.
It would impose a so-called “strong fire chief” model on the County’s volunteer rescue squads and fire departments. That means the County fire chief would assume complete control over the organizations’ operations.
CARS members believe it would lead to additional bureaucracy and higher taxes.
CARS is urging people supporting them to come out and speak at a hearing on August 11th.
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Denny's Worker Accused Of Poisoning Employees
(WCHV) A worker at a Denny's restaurant in Richmond is accused of trying to poison two fellow employees by putting bleach in their drinks. Two servers reported noticing something strange about their drinks, and told investigators they suspected their co-worker was involved. Deputies charged Jermaine Johnson with altering a drink with intent to harm. Johnson is a cook at Denny's.The two employees were not harmed because they had only a sip of their drinks.
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State Fuding To Go To Preventing Drugs And Violence
(WCHV) Governor Bob McDonnell says more than $500-thousand dollars in funding will go to 17 projects in Virginia through the United States Safe and Drug-FreeSchools and Communities Act of 2001. The grants, awarded through a competitive process, will implement drug and violence prevention activities, including those that complement school activities.
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Governor McDonnell To Hold Town Hall Meetings
(WCHV) Governor Bob McDonnell will hit the road in August to hold eight town hall meetings around the Commonwealth. The tour will kick off in Roanoke on Wednesday, August 4th. The “Virginia Speaks” town halls will be held in Norfolk, Chester, Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Harrisonburg and Danville before concluding in Bristol on August 31st.
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Albemarle Police Open New Office
(WCHV) Albemarle County police are opening a new satellite office. The new facility is at 4916 Plank Road in North Garden. It will provide officers with a place to work and make phone calls. The office officially opens Friday morning.
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Owner Of Bel Rio Wanted By Police
(WCHV) The former owner of Bel Rio is now wanted by police. AlbmemarleCounty police department has obtained one felony embezzlement warrant for 46-year-old James Baldi of Charlottesville. Police say the investigation is ongoing. Any one with knowledge of Baldi’s whereabouts is asked to call Crimestoppers at 977-4000.
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City Council to Discuss Proposed Changes to Panhandling Laws
(WCHV) Charlottesville City Council will discuss proposed changes to panhandling laws at their next meeting
Officials say a new law will be proposed at Monday's City Council meeting, to add more restrictions to panhandling on the Downtown Mall. They say if passed, citizens will not be allowed to ask for money within 50 feet of a mall crossing. Also asking for money from anyone at a vendor table or cart will not be allowed. City Council will have the first of two discussions on the proposed panhandling legislation changes on Monday.
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Preventing Fights at Fashion Square Mall Still Priority
(WCHV) Preventing fights at the Fashion Square Mall is still a priority
Fashion sqaure Mall management says they are continuing to make safety a top priority after a fight broke out several months ago, involving around a hundred teens. The fight resulted in several arrests and sparked a community-wide debate on what could be done to keep teens from getting in trouble at the mall. Management says they have increase security and paid Albemarle County Police overtime to patrol the area
that’s Sergeant Darrell Byers. Police say they hope more communication will help prevent a similar situation in the future.
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UVa Ready to Welcome First Female President
(WCHV) The University of Virginia is getting ready to welcome its first female President
UVa officials say Dr. Teresa Sullivan is set to take office next week and she is aready starting to move into her new home. They say for 20 years, former president John Casteen lived in Carr’s Hill, overlooking the Rotunda. Officials say Chief Operating Officer Leonard Sandridge will retain his role as chief administrator until he retires on December 31 of this year.
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Part of I-64W Closed for Bridge Repair
(WCHV) The right lane of I-64 Westbound at mile marker 103 will be closed until early Thursday morning
Officials say the lane will be closed so a loose joint at the end of the bridge can be replaced. They say the work is part of an on going rehabilitation of the bridge deck, which is being done during nighttime hours to minimize traffic congestion and delays.
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Trash Truck Load Catches Fire in Charlottesville
(WCHV) A Trash truck load catches fire Wednesday in Charlottesville
City officials say firefighters responded to the 200 block of Carlton Road shortly before eight Wednesday morning, for reports of a trash truck load that was on fire. Crews say they had the truck dump the fiery load in the parking lot outside of the Charlottesville Market, to ensure that the blaze did not spread to the truck itself.
Carlton Road was closed for some time as crews worked on the scene. Officials say there was no damage was sustained to the truck or others cars and nearby buildings.
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